Harris Stanton Gallery

The dual galleries of Harris Stanton are pleased to present an exciting fall exhibition series featuring artists working in a variety of media.

People, Places, and Things opens our fall season at our Cleveland location. The group show featuring the work of Laura Bidwell, Chris Felver, and Rita Montlack is Harris Stanton’s first photography exhibition in many years. Although working within the same medium, the artists draw inspiration from different places and experiences.

Laura Bidwell will present a selection of classically shot portraits that focus on the beauty and individuality of her muses. An Akron native who currently resides in California, Chris Felver is an internationally exhibiting photographer. He is interested in the examination of fragments from modern industrialized society—fragments that he states are often overlooked in the quickened pace of our technologically-frenzied age. His work in this exhibition is concerned with focusing attention on the ordered and structured surfaces of objects, giving them a fresh perspective to mere functionalism. Rita Montlack’s brightly hued work is inspired by her extensive travels. She photographs while out and about and relives her experiences by continuing her artistic process at home. She explains her process after returning from a trip: “The adventure continues as I manipulate the photographs and transform them digitally or sometimes with paint and collage. These alternative images challenge my expectations and push my perceptions in a way that always includes an overwhelming element of surprise.”

The Shape of Things, a two-person exhibition featuring new paintings by Christine Ries and new sculptures by Tara Lynn opens September 7 at our Akron gallery. For Ries, this exhibition most closely reflects her Appalachian roots and their influence on her. She explains, “Living in the country, I spent much of my time examining the ecological habitats of different organisms, getting lost in the swampy woods and pastures and collecting specimens. The Shape of Things is an embodiment of life choices and the documentation of objects that have crossed my path.” Ries uses vibrant, surprising colors in her beautifully detailed paintings of environs that resonate with her. Tara Lynn creates amorphous Chihuly-esque ceramic pots resembling abstracted flowers or foliage. For Lynn, her work is all about form. She uses the coin method of building her pots to create the free-flowing forms.

Cleveland Gallery

LAURA BIDWELL, CHRIS FELVER & RITA MONTLACK: PEOPLE, PLACES AND THINGS | AUGUST 25 – OCTOBER 7

Akron Gallery

CHRISTINE RIES & TARA LYNN: THE SHAPE OF THINGS | SEPTEMBER 7- OCTOBER 21

Image Captions

Rita Montlack, Three Windows, One Beautiful Havoc. Photograph with digital manipulation

Christine Ries, Dahlia Patch, Beckwith’s Orchard. Acrylic on canvas.

Harris Stanton Gallery

2301 West Market Street

Akron, Ohio 44313

330.867.7600

Harris Stanton Gallery Cleveland